A new scheme to help Richmondshire businesses employ apprentices has received £30,000 in funding from district councillors.
Members of the authority’s Corporate Board have given the go ahead to a Richmondshire Apprenticeship Scheme.
It will help small district based businesses take on apprentices – many for the first time – through up to £2,000 in grant aid and support for training and equipment.
“Encouraging economic growth in a rural area like ours is challenging – but developing home grown talent or retaining young, ambitious members of staff who would have to leave the area to find skilled work fits with our economic action plan,” said council leader, Councillor Yvonne Peacock.
“Our local businesses are keen to join forces with us – and we will work with training providers at Teesside and Darlington.
“Many businesses are put off employing apprentices because of the associated costs and the difficulty in finding the right person – but our new scheme can help them through this.”
The scheme will be open to Richmondshire businesses that employ 50 people of less – with priority given to those with less than 20 members of staff; and have an annual turnover of less than £50 million. Both the business and the apprentice must be based in the district.
For more information on the scheme contact Samantha.coultish@richmondshire.gov.uk or check out richmondshire.gov.uk
